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Home >> Ford >> 2000 >> Contour SE, 2.5 L, Standard >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 272 (Supplemental Inflatable Restraint System) >> Diagnostic Tests >> Test M: Side Air Bag Fault (DTC B2295) >> Possible Causes

Possible Causes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mercury Monterey and 2004 Ford Freestar. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

A side air bag status fault could be caused by faulty wiring, terminals or connectors, faulty side air bag module or faulty RCM.

  1. Check for hard or intermittent DTC

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Connect scan tool to Data Link Connector (DLC). See USING SCAN TOOL  under DIAGNOSTICS. Turn ignition switch to ON position. Retrieve and record any continuous Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). See RETRIEVING FAULT CODES  under DIAGNOSTICS. Perform on-demand self-test. See ON-DEMAND SELF-TEST  under DIAGNOSTICS. Flag DTC B2295. See BIT-MAPPED DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES  under DIAGNOSTICS. Retrieve and record any flagged faults. If DTC B2295 was retrieved during on-demand self-test and vehicle is not equipped with side air bags, fault is hard. Go to next step. If DTC B2295 was retrieved during on-demand self-test and vehicle is equipped with side air bags, fault is hard. Go to step  3 . If DTC B2295 was not retrieved, fault is intermittent. Go to step  17 .

  2. Check right & left side air bag bridge resistors

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM  under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Remove right and left side air bag bridge resistors from harness connectors. Connect right side air bag bridge resistor to left side harness connector. Connect left side air bag bridge resistor to right side harness connector. Turn ignition switch to ON position. Perform on-demand self-test. Flag DTC B2295. Retrieve and record any flagged faults. If flagged fault transferred between right side and left side, replace affected side air bag bridge resistor. If flagged fault did not transfer between right and left side, use flagged faults recorded in step  1 to find appropriate step. If flagged fault of "?" was recorded, multiple faults exist. Entire test must be carried out.
    • For left side air bag module (DFSIDE) with short to battery (STB) fault, go to step  4 .
    • For left side air bag module (DFSIDE) with short to ground (STG) fault, go to step  5 .
    • For left side air bag module (DFSIDE) with open circuit (O-CIR), go to step  6 .
    • For left side air bag module (DFSIDE) with low resistance (LOWRES), go to step  8 .
    • For right side air bag module (PFSIDE) with short to battery (STB), go to step  10 .
    • For right side air bag module (PFSIDE) with short to ground (STG), go to step  11 .
    • For right side air bag module (PFSIDE) with open circuit (O-CIR), go to step  12 .
    • For right side air bag module (PFSIDE) with low resistance (LOWRES), go to step  14 .

  3. Check right & left side air bag modules

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM  under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Turn ignition switch to ON position. Perform on-demand self-test. If DTC B2295 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, use flagged faults recorded in step  1 to find appropriate step. If flagged fault of "?" was recorded, multiple faults exist. Entire test must be carried out before replacing RCM.
    • For left side air bag module (DFSIDE) with short to battery (STB) fault, go to next step.
    • For left side air bag module (DFSIDE) with short to ground (STG) fault, go to step  5 .
    • For left side air bag module (DFSIDE) with open circuit (O-CIR), go to step  6 .
    • For left side air bag module (DFSIDE) with low resistance (LOWRES), go to step  8 .
    • For right side air bag module (PFSIDE) with short to battery (STB), go to step  10 .
    • For right side air bag module (PFSIDE) with short to ground (STG), go to step  11 .
    • For right side air bag module (PFSIDE) with open circuit (O-CIR), go to step  12 .
    • For right side air bag module (PFSIDE) with low resistance (LOWRES), go to step  14 .

    If DTC B2295 was not retrieved during on-demand self-test and if flagged fault of "?" was recorded, multiple faults exist. Entire test must be carried out. Go to step  18 . If fault was flagged against right or left side air bag module, replace appropriate side air bag module. See SIDE AIR BAG MODULE  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Go to step  18 .

    NOTE: Due to shorting bar feature in electrical connector, fault can exist in either circuit. Do not remove or defeat shorting bars.

  4. Check circuits for short to battery between RCM & left side air bag module

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. On models equipped with side air bags, disconnect left side air bag simulator from harness connector. On models not equipped with side air bags, disconnect left side air bag bridge resistor. On all models, access and disconnect RCM connector C310B. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Turn ignition switch to ON position. Measure voltage between ground and harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 1 (White/Light Blue wire, circuit No. 1257). See Figure . Measure voltage between ground and harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 2 (Red wire, circuit No. 1258). If voltage is more than 0.2 volt, repair short to battery in appropriate circuit and go to step  18 . See WIRING DIAGRAMS  . If voltage is less than 0.2 volt, go to step  16 .
    NOTE: Due to shorting bar feature in electrical connector, fault can exist in either circuit. Do not remove or defeat shorting bars.

  5. Check circuits for short to ground between RCM & left side air bag module

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. On models equipped with side air bags, disconnect left side air bag simulator from harness connector. On models not equipped with side air bags, disconnect left side air bag bridge resistor. On all models, access and disconnect RCM connector C310B. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Measure resistance between ground and harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 1 (White/Light Blue wire, circuit No. 1257). See Figure . Measure resistance between ground and harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 2 (Red wire, circuit No. 1258). If resistance is less than 10 k/ohms, repair short to ground in appropriate circuit and go to step  18 . See WIRING DIAGRAMS  . If resistance is more than 10 k/ohms, go to step  16 .

  6. Check circuit between RCM & left side air bag module for open

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. On models equipped with side air bags, disconnect left side air bag simulator from harness connector. On models not equipped with side air bags, disconnect left side air bag bridge resistor. On all models, access and disconnect RCM connector C310B. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Measure resistance in White/Light Blue wire (circuit No. 1257) between harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 1 and harness side of left side air bag connector. See Figure . If resistance is less than 0.5 ohm, go to next step. If resistance is more than 0.5 ohm, repair open in White/Light Blue wire and go to step  18 . See WIRING DIAGRAMS  .

  7. Check circuit between RCM & left side air bag module for open

    Measure resistance in Red wire (circuit No. 1258) between harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 2 and harness side of left side air bag connector. If resistance is less than 0.5 ohm, go to step  16 . If resistance is more than 0.5 ohm, repair open in Red wire and go to step  18 .

  8. Check circuits for low resistance between RCM & left side air bag module

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. On models equipped with side air bags, disconnect left side air bag simulator from harness connector. On models not equipped with side air bags, disconnect left side air bag bridge resistor. On all models, measure resistance between White/Light Blue wire (circuit No. 1257) and Red wire (circuit No. 1258) on harness side of left side air bag connector. See WIRING DIAGRAMS  . If resistance is less than 800 ohms, go to next step. If resistance is more than 800 ohms, go to step  16 .
    NOTE: Due to shorting bar feature in electrical connector, fault can exist in either circuit. Do not remove or defeat shorting bars.

  9. Check RCM circuits for low resistance

    Access and disconnect RCM connector C310B. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Measure resistance between component side of RCM connector No C310B, pins No. 1 and 2. See Figure . If resistance is less than 800 ohms, go to step  16 . If resistance is more than 800 ohms, repair low resistance between White/Light Blue wire and Red wires. Go to step  18 .

  10. Check circuits for short to battery between RCM & right side air bag module

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. On models equipped with side air bags, disconnect right side air bag simulator from harness connector. On models not equipped with side air bags, disconnect right side air bag bridge resistor. On all models, access and disconnect RCM connector C310B. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Turn ignition switch to ON position. Measure voltage between ground and harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 21 (White/Yellow wire, circuit No. 1259). See Figure . Measure voltage between ground and harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 22 (Brown/Yellow wire, circuit No. 1260).If voltage is more than 0.2 volt, repair short to battery in appropriate circuit and go to step  18 . See WIRING DIAGRAMS  . If voltage is less than 0.2 volt, go to step  16 .
    NOTE: Due to shorting bar feature in electrical connector, fault can exist in either circuit. Do not remove or defeat shorting bars.

  11. Check circuits for short to ground between RCM & right side air bag module

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. On models equipped with side air bags, disconnect right side air bag simulator from harness connector. On models not equipped with side air bags, disconnect right side air bag bridge resistor. On all models, access and disconnect RCM connector C310B. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Measure resistance between ground and harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 21 (White/Yellow wire, circuit No. 1259). See Figure . Measure resistance between ground and harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 22 (Brown/Yellow wire, circuit No. 1260). If resistance is less than 10 k/ohms, repair short to ground in appropriate circuit and go to step  18 . See WIRING DIAGRAMS  . If resistance is more than 10 k/ohms, go to step  16 .

  12. Check circuit between RCM & right side air bag module for open

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. On models equipped with side air bags, disconnect right side air bag simulator from harness connector. On models not equipped with side air bags, disconnect right side air bag bridge resistor. On all models, access and disconnect RCM connector C310B. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Measure resistance in White/Yellow wire (circuit No. 1259) between harness side of RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 21 and harness side of right side air bag connector. See Figure . If resistance is less than 0.5 ohm, go to next step. If resistance is more than 0.5 ohm, repair open in White/Yellow wire and go to step  18 . See WIRING DIAGRAMS  .

  13. Check circuit between RCM & right side air bag module for open

    Measure resistance in Brown/Yellow wire (circuit No. 1260) between and RCM connector C310B, terminal No. 22 and harness side of right side air bag connector. If resistance is less than 0.5 ohm, go to step  16 . If resistance is more than 0.5 ohm, repair open in Brown/Yellow wire and go to step  18 .

  14. Check circuits for low resistance between RCM & right side air bag module

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. On models equipped with side air bags, disconnect right side air bag simulator from harness connector. On models not equipped with side air bags, disconnect right side air bag bridge resistor. On all models, measure resistance between White/Yellow wire (circuit No. 1259) and Brown/Yellow wire (circuit No. 1260) on harness side of right side air bag connector. See WIRING DIAGRAMS  . If resistance is less than 800 ohms, go to next step. If resistance is more than 800 ohms, go to step  16 .
    NOTE: Due to shorting bar feature in electrical connector, fault can exist in either circuit. Do not remove or defeat shorting bars.

  15. Check RCM circuits for low resistance

    Access and disconnect RCM connector C310B. See RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE (RCM)  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Measure resistance between component side of RCM connector No C310B, pins No. 21 and 22. See Figure . If resistance is less than 800 ohms, go to next step. If resistance is more than 800 ohms, repair low resistance in White/Yellow wire or Brown/Yellow wire. Go to step  18 .
    NOTE: Ensure all air bag system simulators, sensor electrical connectors and RCM electrical connectors are connected prior to carrying out on-demand self-test or erroneous faults may be set.

  16. Confirm RCM fault

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Reconnect all air bag module simulators. Reconnect RCM connectors. Turn ignition switch to ON position. Perform on-demand self-test. Flag DTC B2295. Retrieve and record any flagged faults. If DTC B2295 was retrieved during on-demand self-test and "?" was flagged by scan tool, carry out entire test before replacing RCM. Replace RCM. Go to step  18 . If DTC B2295 was not retrieved during on-demand self-test, fault is intermittent. Attempt to recreate fault by flexing wire harness and cycling ignition switch frequently. Activate other systems in same wire harness. Repair any intermittent problems found. Go to step  18 .

  17. Check for intermittent fault

    Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM  under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Perform on-demand self-test. Flag DTC 2295. If DTC B2295 was retrieved during on-demand self-test, fault is hard. Check for causes of intermittent fault at or near affected side air bag module connector. Repair any intermittent problems found and go to next step. If intermittent problem was not found, use flagged faults to find appropriate step. If flagged fault "?" was recorded, multiple faults exist and entire test must be carried out.
    • For left side air bag module (DFSIDE) with short to battery (STB) fault, go to step  4 .
    • For left side air bag module (DFSIDE) with short to ground (STG) fault, go to step  5 .
    • For left side air bag module (DFSIDE) with open circuit (O-CIR), go to step  6 .
    • For left side air bag module (DFSIDE) with low resistance (LOWRES).
    • For right side air bag module (PFSIDE) with short to battery (STB), go to step  10 .
    • For right side air bag module (PFSIDE) with short to ground (STG), go to step  11 .
    • For right side air bag module (PFSIDE) with open circuit (O-CIR), go to step  12 .
    • For right side air bag module (PFSIDE) with low resistance (LOWRES), go to step  14 .

    If DTC B2295 was not retrieved during on-demand self-test, fault is intermittent. Attempt to recreate fault by flexing wire harness and cycling ignition switch frequently. Activate other system is same wire harness. Repair any intermittent problems found. Go to next step.

  18. Check for additional DTCs

    Refer to continuous DTCs recorded in step  1 . If any continuous DTCs were retrieved, go to diagnostic trouble code identification table for direction to appropriate test. See DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE IDENTIFICATION  table. DO NOT clear any DTCs until all DTCs have been resolved. If no DTCs were retrieved, reconnect air bag system. Activate air bag system. See ACTIVATING SYSTEM  under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Clear all DTCs. See CLEARING FAULT CODES  under DIAGNOSTICS.
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